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Hybrid Models
Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2020 5:39 pm
by geex.helen
How are you structuring your hybrid model?
Re: Hybrid Models
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:31 am
by liesl.schubel
UrbanGlass works in partnership with Pratt Institute to offer a semester-long glass survey course. The class this fall is largely in person, but mandated by Pratt to be remote for the last two weeks after Thanksgiving (to discourage travel). We also decided to run the first class remotely, which offered the opportunity to go over the large amount of protocol information for the students to enter and be in the space safely.
UrbanGlass is a public-access studio, so we needed to take some additional precautions. The studio is closed to all rentals/access on Fridays, when class is in session, to keep the Pratt student community separate from the artists and renters using the facility daily. The class runs in the morning, there is a mandatory lunch, then students can return for outside of class student hours in the afternoon. That is the only access to the space for the students.
Sharing some initial hurdles, successes, and general thoughts:
We've been lucky to work with an outside company Pratt hired to help manage their COVID response. They walked through the space and the main focus has switched from surfaces to ventilation.
Finding the balance between individual supplies and shared equipment has been a challenge. Students received a "kit" on the first day with their own set of buckets for mold making, a cloth apron, safety glasses, ear plugs, nitrile gloves, KN95 mask in a paper bag, and a sharpie to label everything. Some things are of course still shared (kiln door handles, etc). Any shared equipment has an extra hand sanitizer or direction to wash hands close by.
We have actively engaged with the students in this process, asking them after the first in-person class to reach out with anything they felt uncomfortable about or needed to be changed. This has made the process more collaborative and helpful.
Just sharing some initial findings. All our policies are in constant flux, and communicating with the teaching team and students is the top priority.
Hope all is going alright at each of your institutions.